FAQ

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• After my pregnancy my breasts remain large and are now causing back and shoulder pain. My gynecologist suggested a breast reduction. Would this help?
  
  Breast reduction is one of the more common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. It has a very high satisfaction rate improving postural discomfort, including back and shoulder pain. This procedure is often but not always covered by insurance.
  
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• How much weight can I lose with liposuction?
  
  Although liposuction is not designed for weight reduction there will be some weight loss with the procedure. Most often the procedure is performed to remove localized abnormal fat deposits such as saddlebags, or love handles. The isolated fat deposits rarely recur and although removal of fat cells may aid in weight control it will not keep you thin. Only you can control your weight! A good candidate for liposuction is not more than 15% over their ideal weight. Most recently liposuction has been shown to be beneficial for patients with diabetes.
  
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• Is cosmetic surgery safe?
  
  With improvements in surgical techniques and anesthesia healthy patients today can expect a safe outcome. Although not without risk, serious complications are uncommon.
  
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• I exercise regularly, but after two children I cannot get a flat tummy. What can I do?
  
  During pregnancy your abdominal wall muscles stretched separating in the midline. Your skin may have lost elasticity and stretch marks appeared below the belly button. Exercise to tone the muscles is important but will not correct excess skin or reposition the abdominal muscles, only surgery can achieve this. The most common procedure for correction is a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
  
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• Are breast implants safe?
  
  On November 17th , 2006 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued approval to market silicone gel-filled breast implants in the United States. These implants have been scrutinized more than any other medical device. Now both silicone gel-filled and saline implants are available in the United States offering patients and their plastic surgeons more treatment options. Breast implants have never been shown to cause major diseases in women (i.e. neurological disorders, connective tissue diseases, cancer, etc.). As with all implants, however they are not expected to last a lifetime and most patients will replace their implants at some time in the future. Replacement is most often necessary because of deflation but occasionally because of firmness (capsule formation) around the implant. These secondary procedures are generally outpatient surgeries.
  
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• My breasts now sag following my pregnancy. Can this be repaired?
  
  During pregnancy your breast enlarges for breastfeeding. After pregnancy your skin may not shrink adequately. This leaves a disproportionate amount of skin and thus your breasts sag. Correction may require removal of excess skin, the addition of an implant to increase the apparent breast volume or a combination of both. The procedure must be tailored to your specific needs. Improvement can be achieved with one or more of these techniques.
  
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• My child is very sensitive about his prominent ears. Can this be corrected and at what age?
  
  Prominent ears can be corrected with surgery and young children tolerate the procedure well. By the age of 4 to 6 years the ear has reached 85% of its adult size. This fact allows us to operate and correct these deformities anytime after the age of four, thus minimizing the psychological impact of this deformity on these children. We've performed this procedure on patients as young as 4 and as old as 70 with pleasing results. Insurance companies rarely cover this operation.
  
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• I'm noticing tiny veins on my legs and face. Is there any treatment for these?
  
  Advances with lasers now allow for treatment of many small unsightly veins around the face and recently the lower legs. Although several treatments are required, newer treatments have little or no downtime and discomfort is minimal. The technique can also be used for congenital port wine stains.
  
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• How do I select my plastic surgeon?
  
  The single most important decision you will make is the selection of your plastic surgeon. Many doctors refer to themselves as plastic surgeons but not all have the same surgical training. Membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons assures you that your surgeon is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This oldest, most prestigious Board of Plastic Surgery has been certifying plastic surgeons for over 50 years. It is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. To achieve Board Certification your surgeon completed an approved general surgery program of at least 3-5 years and an approved plastic surgery program of an additional 2-3 years. Your plastic surgeon earned Board Certification only after passing comprehensive written and oral examinations administered by the ABPS. This certification assures you that your surgeon has been fully trained in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
  
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• I seem to be aging faster than some of my friends. Is there anything plastic surgery can do for me?
  
  We all show visible aging changes at different rates. These differences reflect our genetics such as skin quality and facial bone structure. They also reflect our lifestyle including sun exposure, drinking, and smoking. These factors may determine when you are ready to consider surgery to restore a more youthful look. The foundation for improvement is the facelift, tightening the skin, the deeper muscles and soft tissues of the face and neck. This procedure will help you look refreshed, often ten years younger. Newer techniques result in improvements that last longer and are more natural in appearance. Facelift surgery is often combined with other techniques to enhance your result. We can assist you in selecting the best approach for your aging concerns.
  
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• I now notice that I appear tired even when I am well rested. Can this be corrected?
  
  As gravitational and textural skin changes occur around your eyes you will tend to look tired. There are several techniques to correct this tired appearance. Most often correction requires an eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty), often in conjunction with browlift, or skin resurfacing laser treatment. It is also possible to use Botox to soften facial expression lines. Most patients benefit from active participation in a skin care program to prevent further skin damage and restore skin quality.
  
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